Montreal Smoked Meat: What Makes It Special

UPDATED CHART: May 2025

I hate to admit it, but there is no such thing as an authentic Canadian dish. However, numerous foods are unique to the province of Quebec. Probably the most important is poutine. I must confess I find poutine extremely disgusting, and now, with all the variations, it’s unimaginable and horrible.

Poutine is simply French fries, which are considered the best in Quebec and are typically from that region. It has squeaky cheese you won’t find anywhere else and brown gravy, usually with a beef flavour. That’s it, that’s all.

However, there are too many particular and unique Montreal-style foods. In this blog post, I’ve already written about Montreal bagels, which I compare to New York-style bagels. The other is the title of this blog, Montreal Meet.

Best Bagels New York City or Montreal

I find it sad that every online and paper guidebook or article about the place advises tourists to visit Schwartz. I’m not saying that Schwartz isn’t great—it is—but is it the best? That’s highly debatable. I have my favourites. (See Chart Below)

On summertime weekends, the lineups are ridiculously long. Personally, it’s just not worth it. Midweek in the winter, maybe. That said, if you find yourself going to Schwartz because you think that’s the experience you need, you decide that the wait in line is too long. Just go up the street towards the end of the line, and to your right, you will find one of the best Portuguese chicken meals you can get at a very reasonable price.

Ethnic foods, such as those from Portugal and Italy, are prevalent and excellent in Montreal. If you visit, you might want to try them.

My go-to place, which is accessible to tourists, is Dunn's Famous. And this is where I will start to reminisce a little bit. It can be fine just off Saint Catherine’s, around the corner on Metcalf Street. However, the original, back in the 1960s, was located on Catherine Street; I had my very first formal date, so perhaps that’s why I have fond memories of it.

A few years later, while studying at McGill University, I would often continue my studies after the library closed. I occasionally crossed the street to go to Bens. Bens had fabulous smoked meat, but I was also somewhat partial to their barbecue pork sandwich covered in gravy. Unfortunately, Ben is long gone.

Many of the great smoked meat restaurants are slowly closing down in Montreal. Perhaps it was partially due to COVID, but the truth is the cost of creating smoke. Meat has risen so much that it’s tough for these places to keep competitive.

Be sure that your plate with a smoked meat sandwich includes what it should: smoked meat, either medium or lean, on light rye bread with a side of great Quebec, French fries, coleslaw, and a slice of a pickle. If you like it juicy, you can opt for medium with a little more fat, but my preference is lean.

So, next time you’re thinking about having a great Montreal smoked meat, think twice about where you want to go. Either way, you’ll have a great time and enjoy it.

Background to Montreal Smoked Meat

Montreal Smoked meat, known simply as smoked meat, is a delicious beef brisket that undergoes a curing process with salt and spices for around ten days, followed by smoking and steaming. This meat is always hand-sliced to maintain its integrity, as machine cutting could compromise its texture and quality. Its rich flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture make it a favourite among locals and visitors.

The origins of Montreal smoked meat are somewhat unclear, but it is widely believed to have been introduced by Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the 19th century. Today, it has become an integral part of Quebec culture, with iconic deli restaurants in downtown Montreal dating back to the 1920s.

Montreal smoked meat is a unique delicacy that stands out due to its preparation and flavour profile. It's a cured and smoked brisket rubbed with a mixture of spices (including garlic, coriander, mustard seeds, and black pepper), then smoked and steamed until tender. Unlike pastrami, which is similar but sweeter, Montreal smoked meat has a more peppery taste and a slightly drier texture.

Creating a Montreal smoked meat sandwich involves stacking freshly cut meat between slices of seedless rye bread, generously spread with yellow mustard. This classic sandwich is typically served with coleslaw, fries, and a pickle on the side.

Where to Get Montreal Smoked Meat in Montreal

If you're in Montreal, here are a few iconic spots known for serving some of the best-smoked meat:

Montreal Smoked Meat vs. New York Smoked Meat

The debate between Montreal smoked meat and New York pastrami is contentious, with differences in the cuts of meat used. Montreal smoked meat is typically made from a Canadian brisket cut with varying fat content, whereas pastrami is prepared using an American marbled navel or plate cut.

Montreal smoked meat's curing spices include cracked peppercorns, coriander, garlic, mustard seeds, and a touch of sugar, distinguishing it from its sweeter American counterpart. Additionally, Montreal smoked meat aficionados can choose their preferred fat content, ranging from lean to fatty, ensuring a personalized dining experience.

While both Montreal and New York share a love for cured and smoked meats, there are key differences between the two: